Bob CollinsThomas D. Donnelly, of Geneva, Minn., died on Tuesday. But he was known by a different name — ‘Digger’. He dug graves. He was also Tom Tom the Leprechaun, the mascot of the Minnesota RollerGirls. Read more →
MPR News Reflections and observations on the news
Arts & Culture
In the big scheme of things, a debate over whether Renoir was any good isn’t any different than a sportsradio talk show brawl over whether Pete Rose should be in the baseball Hall of Fame, but in the world of fine art, god help you if you question the wisdom of art historians and critics. Read more →
Bob Dylan, TV pitchmanMax Geller has a sense of humor, but he also thinks Renoir is a lousy painter.
So he combined his two passions yesterday in an ironic protest outside Boston’s famed Museum of Fine Arts, protesting that a Renoir or two graces its galleries. Read more →
David Greene’s job is to ask tough questions but his interview today — or at least the way it was edited for broadcast — was more about what a tough interview it was for him because Hynde was clearly tired of answering the same, old questions about her book, Reckless: My Life as a Pretender, in which she claimed responsibility for what would be characterized as a sexual assault. Read more →
Oh, your state doesn’t have a Supreme Court justice (now retired) who blows his tuba to support marathoners?
Mine does. Read more →
A controversy at Connecticut’s Wesleyan University is symptomatic of an increasing reality. Commentary and opinion in journalism is declining as a roadmap to a healthy exchange of ideas. Read more →
Murphy Library at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will participate in the perfect response to efforts to ban books. It will read them aloud. Read more →
After its big hit exploring an otherwise non-descript murder case, Serial, the This American Life spinoff podcast has become something of a mystery itself since its producers announced it would be back for a second season.
What case would host Sarah Koenig tackle next? Read more →
Some politicians are rushing to pass legislation that would prohibit the renaming of Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Read more →
Garrison Keillor’s decision to walk away from A Prairie Home Companion means the show is going to change. And public radio listeners and station owners are uncomfortable with change.
Read more →
There’s nothing good or funny about a side of people that people shouldn’t see. Read more →
There are many ‘heroes’ designated in war, but a piano player isn’t usually among them.
Read more →
The Viking heritage is now politically correct. Read more →
Dan Olson, who for 42 years has lent his voice and talent to Minnesota Public Radio, is spending his last full-day as a member of MPR today. He’s retiring, a feat which is incalculably difficult to do in the radio business. Not many people make it that far. Read more →